Social media has become part of growing up, but that doesn’t mean it’s always safe or that kids are ready for what they might find online. As a parent, it’s easy to feel overwhelmed by how fast everything moves.
Did you know that in June last year, U.S. Surgeon General Dr. Vivek Murthy called for a warning label on social media platforms? A Yale Medicine article notes that Dr. Murthy’s warning is based on factors such as the disruption of essential habits like sleep and physical activity.
Thankfully, there are ways to step in, guide, and protect your kids, and parental controls represent one of the more effective strategies. Let’s find out more below.
Why Should You Be Looking at Parental Controls for Social Media Apps?
It’s easy for parents to forget that danger comes not just from the obviously dangerous apps, but also from seemingly innocent ones. Certain social media platforms like TikTok have been so detrimental to young people that they warrant careful usage control. This is why, when NGOs and parents talk about filing a TikTok lawsuit, mental health concerns are a primary factor.
These legal actions are also backed by evidence from reputable organizations. For instance, Amnesty International notes that almost one in two videos on the platform was potentially harmful. These include content that romanticized, normalized, and sometimes even encouraged behaviors related to self-harm.
As TruLaw notes, so far, fourteen states have filed cases against TikTok since late 2024. Many of these cases are related to the app’s intentionally addictive algorithm and claims of being a safe platform for children under twelve.
As parents witness the negative impact that social media can have on their kids, there’s growing support for closer monitoring.
Data from the Pew Research Center shows that 81% of U.S. adults support social media companies requiring parental consent for minors to create an account. Unsurprisingly, that statistic is far lower when teens were asked the same question (46%).
So, now that we know why social media apps warrant some attention, it’s time to find out how to control the time spent on them.
How to Turn On the Built-In Parental Controls on Phones
Most smartphones today come with surprisingly powerful parental controls. You just have to know where to find them. On iPhones, it starts with the Screen Time settings. Head to Settings > Screen Time, and if it’s your child’s phone, select This is My Child’s iPhone. From there, you can set a Screen Time passcode to prevent any sneaky attempts to turn off the limits.
You’ll be able to schedule Downtime (when only essential apps work, like during homework or bedtime), limit time spent on certain app categories like social media, and block explicit content or app installations using Content & Privacy Restrictions.
Android users can achieve the same level of control using Google’s Family Link app, which is free and available in the Play Store. You’ll need to install the app on both your phone and your child’s, and if your child doesn’t already have a Google account, you’ll create one for them during setup.
Remember, these tools are built into the phone for a reason. Use them early, and update them regularly as your child’s online habits evolve. That said, kids these days don’t just use their phones to access social media. If you really want to ensure that the limits are being enforced, you need to opt for router-level restrictions. Let’s find out how to set these up.
How to Use Router-Level Controls for Broader Restrictions
If you want to control access to certain apps or websites for every device in your home, not just your kid’s phone, router-level controls are your best friend. These are parental controls that you set up directly through your Wi-Fi router. When set properly, they can block access to social media apps on all devices connected to your home network. This means the restrictions include tablets, laptops, and even game consoles.
To set it up, first access your router’s admin settings. You’ll usually do this by typing an IP address like 192.168.1.1 into your web browser (this is often printed on the back of your router). After logging in with the admin credentials, look for the Parental Controls section.
From there, you can block specific websites (like TikTok.com or Instagram.com), set up access schedules (for example, disabling internet access on your child’s devices after 9 PM), or even pause the internet for certain users. Now, all these restrictions are going to make your kids feel targeted, so the next step is particularly important.
Talking to Your Kids About Social Media
Technology is only half the battle. If you want your parental controls to actually work long-term, you need to have real conversations with your kids about what they’re doing online and why it matters. Start by leading with empathy. Instead of launching into a lecture about the dangers of TikTok or Instagram, ask them what they like about those apps. What do they watch? What makes them laugh? Get curious, not critical.
The American Psychological Association advises a multipronged approach that combines restrictions with modeling good behavior, watching for signs of problematic use, and having regular discussions.
What does that look like? Well, once there’s some trust in the conversation, explain your concerns honestly. Show them that you’re not trying to ruin their fun, but you’re trying to protect their mental health, privacy, and safety. When you talk about rules, include them in the process.
Ask, “What do you think is a fair screen time limit during school nights?” or “How can we make sure social media doesn’t interrupt your sleep?” This encourages ownership rather than rebellion.
Talk about how social media can make people feel like they’re never good enough and how it’s okay to take breaks. Keep the conversation ongoing because this isn’t a one-time talk but a habit. Ask them every now and then how their experience online is going. Have they seen anything weird? How do they handle rude comments? This is critical if you want the restrictions to have a positive effect on your kids.
Frequently Asked Questions
1. Is there an app to see everything on your child’s phone?
Yes, there are apps that let you monitor your child’s phone activity, but “everything” depends on the app and your settings. Tools like Bark, Qustodio, and Google Family Link can track texts, screen time, app usage, and even social media alerts—just be sure to balance privacy with trust.
2. What is the impact of social media on youth?
Social media can affect youth in both good and bad ways. It helps them stay connected and express themselves, but it also exposes them to unrealistic comparisons, cyberbullying, and addictive scrolling. Studies link heavy use with anxiety, depression, and poor sleep, especially if there’s no parental guidance or time limits in place.
3. What is the ideal age for a child to have a social media account?
Most platforms require users to be at least 13, but even then, it depends on the child’s maturity. Many experts say waiting until 15 or older is better. Ideally, parents should be involved early on, helping kids ease in with supervision and open talks about safety and emotional boundaries.
Long story short, parental controls should very much be part of a modern parenting mindset. They give you a way to act before problems spiral instead of reacting afterward. In a way, they allow you to stay involved and also help your kids build a healthier, more balanced relationship with the online world.
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